Woman slashed with a machete in Vancouver 'living in fear' after suspect granted bail
A woman who was the victim of a stranger attack in Vancouver told CTV News she’s now “living in fear” after the suspect in her case was granted bail.
In June, Casey Janulis was slashed on the back of her neck with a machete while loading luggage into a taxi. It happened on Father’s Day near the Hotel Empress on the Downtown Eastside.
Janulis has since moved to B.C.’s Interior, saying she “will never go back” to Vancouver again.
“Basically he did take my life away from me – I’m never going to be the same again,” she told CTV News in an interview Monday.
Janulis said she struggles with numb hands and is easily triggered when people come too close, even just to offer a high-five. The hardest hurdle is that she sometimes gets confused.
“It’s not easy to cope with your brain not working properly,” she said. “My survival is a struggle, a very, very large struggle.” Her friends have since helped her put together a GoFundMe to help with ongoing medical costs.
Last month, the Vancouver Police Department announced charges had been laid in connection with the attack. Kenneth Stephen Solowan, 37, is facing two counts of aggravated assault.
On Sept. 15, he was released on bail.
Janulis said when she learned the news she was furious.
“Why? Why? Why? Who is to answer for this? Why is he walking? How? How is this possible?” she said. “I’m living in fear. I’m lucky I can turn my neck but now I have to literally look over in fear.”
Last week, the provincial government released 28 recommendations after a four-and-a-half-month study into repeat offenders and random violence in B.C.
According to the report, stranger attacks in Vancouver have increased by 35 per cent in 2021/2022 compared to 2019/2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also stated that most suspects "had been apprehended previously under the Mental Health Act and most had been named as suspects or charged in previous violent crime incidents.”
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said three of the 28 recommendations will be the first priorities for government.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.